Well, could that have turned out any worse?

The Socceroos have scored a very tough group in the (hopefully) final stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup Finals.

On rankings face value, Japan (17) and Australia (23) ought to have little problem getting past Saudi Arabia (56), Bahrain (81), China PR (88), Indonesia (134), but FIFA rankings can be deceptive. Not least when you consider that Georgia (74) just beat Portugal (6) in the Euros.

Thing is… we got the top team in Pot 1, the top team in Pot 3, top team in Pot 4, second team in Pot 5 and Indonesia (Pot 6) … whose Under 23’s just beat our Olyroos. This is a really tough group – definitely the Group of Death. Group B is the Group of Life that we might have hoped for.

Having said that, I expect us to qualify.

If we pick the right players and play the right system, we’ll be fine.

Arnie MUST get over his habit of picking his tried and trusted. It is important to have experience in these matches but there are too many elderly types who are (frankly) past their best.

It is also important to play the right way in the right shape – in accordance with the idea of getting our best players on the pitch. And when I say the best players, I mean attacking players.

The Socceroos have been depressingly toothless for too long under Arnie. It’s time he threw caution to the winds and picked the players capable of upsetting the parked buses we typically encounter in Asia.

That means we must build our team around the likes of Irankunda, Arzani and Nisbet.

These are the skilled, technical players we can rely on to create chances. Irankunda (Bayern Munich) is a fearless young man with power and pace, and no little football intelligence who can get into dangerous places and cause havoc.

Arzani (Victory) is a supremely talented player – still young – burning with the desire to make up for lost time. His recent season for Victory showed he is back to his 2018 best and it’s time for him to genuinely go to the next level. He’s a star and we have to unleash him.

Pulling the strings (in the Socceroos team I would pick) is Josh Nisbet (god knows where he’s going). Too many judges can’t see past his height, but he just won the Johnny Warren medal! He is the outstanding player in a tough, physical league (A League) and deserves the chance to play overseas and also to lead the Socceroos around the park. He never loses the ball and he sets up chances. That’s what we need in Asia.

Those three (and Riley McGree) can make the chances but we need someone at the cutting edge who can take them. For my money, that’s Kusini Yengi right now. He’s reminiscent of Viduka the way he can dominate with his physical presence but also use his feet.

Going back to the defence … Maty Ryan is the GK incumbent but I really want Arnie to have a look at Joe Gauci. Aston Villa are no mugs. Based solely on club – Gauci deserves his shot at #1 and Arnie has to get over his usual favouritism. Gauci didn’t have a lot to do in his last match but what he did do, he did well. Big lad also … he dominates the box and defenders love their keeper to do that. Gives them confidence.

Strain, Souttar, Circati, Bos – with Burgess, Rowles, Atkinson, Farrell in the wings, is a damn good back four.

The defensive midfield is probably where we have most room for improvement. I’m very keen to see Alex Robertson get a go, maybe with Baccus. Maybe McGree could play #8? Metcalfe and O’Neill are also in the argument.

No doubt there will be others putting their hands up over the next year or so … Irvine for a start, but also Nieuwenhof, Devlin, Taggart, Stamatelopoulos, Leckie, Boyle, Hrustic, Goodwin. Plus Ryan Teague, Max Balard, Lachlan Brook…

I think there are likely to be two or three others we’ve never heard of emerge also – given the usual patterns of Australian football. One of them might be the next Arzani or Irankunda…

But it’s not just the personnel – it’s also the way we play. We have been far too conservative in the last few years, it’s time for the Socceroos to play in the attacking, cavalier fashion expected by Australians.

We need to pick attacking players and go for the throat. I can’t see too many Asian teams getting past our back five, and if we get on the front foot every time they’ll be too scared to leave themselves open at the back.

That means we won’t be conceding too many goals, but we have to score a few.

Have to…

Over to you Arnie.

It’s not rocket science…

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) was published by Hague Publishing in July 2023. The ebook can be purchased here and the paperback can be ordered here or at your local store.